The Black Box With the Giant Lock in the Hold

Erie is a shell, an instrument nearly past its usefulness. The details of everything before that have been plucked away. Yerie tells her about the black box with the giant lock in the hold and how she won't be allowed off if it's not opened. She says wearily, i just can't. Annea leans forward, grips erie's hands. You will be, she says, i will play you back to life. Erie knows, looking at her, that annea is her only hope of reclaiming her past.